When Swedish consumers choose the hotel chain they perceive as the most sustainable, they once again place Scandic at the top. This is shown by the Sustainable Brand Index 2026 survey – Europe's largest independent brand survey on sustainability.
Sustainability is a deeply rooted and central part of Scandic’s business strategy. The company’s climate ambitions were recently raised further when the climate targets for 2033 were approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The targets are set in line with climate research and the emission reduction requirements set for the world to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. By setting science-based targets, Scandic not only drives its own transformation, but also contributes to raising the standard for the industry.
– Sustainability has long been an integrated and prioritized part of Scandic's operations, and it is gratifying to receive consumer confirmation that our work continues to position us as a leading player in the area. This of course gives us even stronger motivation to continue the important work of, among other things, reducing emissions, reducing food waste and contributing to a more inclusive working life, says Hilma Nordquist, Director of Sustainability, Scandic Hotels Group.
Scandic decided to become a leader in sustainability back in 1993 and has long been Nordic Ecolabel certified, one of the strictest sustainability certifications in the industry. This helps to meet ambitious goals in areas such as energy, water, chemicals, waste, food waste and organic food. Scandic also works actively with sustainability in several environmental and social areas, rooms and interiors, as well as health, diversity and inclusion.
– Scandic is consolidating its position as an industry winner in a market characterized by major structural changes in consumer expectations. At a time when sustainability has gone from being a positive differentiator to becoming a necessary prerequisite, Scandic is showing that they are able to maintain consumer trust. Their success underlines that consistent action and security outweigh ambitious campaigns. That they are standing firm while many other players are experiencing a decline in their reputation is a clear sign of a robust and strong brand position, says Erik Elvingsson Hedén, CEO and founder of SB Insight.
The Sustainable Brand Index (SBI) is conducted annually in several European countries and measures how consumers perceive different brands' work with environmental and social sustainability. The survey covers over 1,600 brands across 36 industries, and the results are based on more than 80,000 consumer interviews. The aim of the survey is to provide a clear picture of which brands are perceived as the most responsible and which areas drive consumer trust and preferences in sustainability.
